New Year, New Routine!

Christmas may be over, but January isn’t all doom and gloom. The dawn of the new year is the perfect time to re-evaluate and reboot to set you up for the months ahead. You may have already put new workout goals or diet must-dos in place, but what about your beauty routine?

The new year is the perfect time to take action and shake things up in the looks department. But for 2016 we’re not talking half-hearted beauty pledges, we’re talking serious promises that will help you look and feel great for the long haul. Here our experts reveal their top resolutions for you to try. And they’re so good, we’re sure they’ll stick!

GORGEOUS SKIN

Resolution 1: Treat your skin once a week

Once you’ve mastered a basic skincare routine to suit your skin’s needs, add in a weekly mask treatment to keep skin looking tip-top. ‘Mix 3 teaspoons of coconut oil with 1 tablespoon of yoghurt and 1 tablespoon of dead sea salt. Mix into a paste, massage into skin and then rinse off,’ advises Janey Lee Grace (janeyleegrace.com), author of Look Great Naturally… Without Ditching The Lipstick.

Resolution 2: Go eco

Being an eco-loving beauty consumer is just as good for your body as your conscience. ‘Don’t use products that contain synthetic fragrances, petroleum and other synthetic chemicals. When skin feels dry they may feel soothing, but over time they can thin the skin and prevent natural repair,’ says Janey.

It can be easy to forget about sun damage during the colder months, but UV rays are just as harmful in winter as they are in summer, so don’t skimp on SPF. ‘UVA rays, which cause skin cancer and photoageing, penetrate all weather conditions, so make sure you slather on a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF value of 30 or greater,’ says cosmetic dermatologist Dr Rachael Eckel (skinhealthinstitute.com).

Resolution 5: Scrub up

Buffing your skin once a week will make a visible difference. ‘From the age of 25, cellular turnover begins to slow and dead skin cells accumulate. This results in a dull, rough appearance to skin. Daily exfoliation for 40 to 60 seconds using a mineral scrub will gently lift dead cells and restore healthy skin renewal,’ says Dr Eckel.

GREAT HAIR AND NAILS

Resolution: 6 Be adventurous

The new year is the perfect time to experiment with a new look. ‘Try to style your hair three different ways each week. Try beach waves, curls, smooth, slicked back, braided or in a bun. The possibilities are endless,’ says top hairstylist Julien Farel (julienfarel.com).

Resolution 7: Treat your tresses

Give your hair some TLC to protect it from the harsh wind and rain. ‘Try to lessen the frequency of hair washing and heat styling. Remember, the more aggressive you are with shampooing your scalp, the more it will defend itself by producing oil faster. Wash and heat-style every other day to preserve the health of your hair,’ advises Julien.

Resolution 8: Have a clear out

Throw away anything you’ve been hoarding for over a year, then invest in some quality targeted products. ‘Pay special attention if your hair is oily or dry and find a quality product that works for your hair type to keep it protected against damage. You don’t have to sacrifice your hair for style as long as you are using the right products,’ says Julien.

Resolution 9: Look after your hands

Hands are a dead giveaway when it comes to ageing, so make sure you look after yours to peel back the years. ‘Apply hand cream and cuticle oil every night to really help penetrate the skin and cuticles,’ says celebrity nail technician Lucy Tucker (lucytuckernails.com).

Resolution 10: Get buffing

Want salon-esque talons? Spend a few minutes buffing and filing nails before applying your polish. ‘Make sure you file in one direction only and give nails a good buffing before applying a base coat. It will give the polish a lovely smooth surface to go on to,’ explains Lucy.

LOVE YOUR BODY

Resolution 11: Detox from the inside

The best way to start the year is with a natural detox. ‘Epsom salts are a great natural cleanser, which naturally help to de-bloat. Pour 1½ cups in the bath every week for six weeks for a flat tum,’ advises skincare expert Malvina Fraser (malvinaskincare.com).

Resolution 12: Exfoliate weekly

Sloughing off dead skin cells is the secret to dimple-free, smooth skin. ‘Exfoliation is key. Keeping the circulation going will help active ingredients penetrate more effectively into the skin,’ says Malvina.

Resolution 13: Banish cellulite

Applying firming products post-bath is a must to improve circulation and skin tone. ‘Use twice a day for best results and always remember to spend time using massage motions when rubbing products into the skin, to help sculpt problem areas,’ says Jo Parker, Champneys beauty and health director (champneys.com).

Resolution 14: Get superfood smart

Superfoods aren’t just for eating! Slathering them on your skin can work wonders for premature ageing, too. ‘Seaweed, for example, improves cell renewal, which makes it a good anti-ageing ingredient,’ explains Noella Gabriel, director of product and treatment development at Elemis (elemis.com).

Resolution 15: Add a little oil

A body oil in your beauty arsenal is just as important as a good moisturiser. Noella says: ‘I recommend using a body oil regularly, as the molecular structure is easily absorbed by the body; the body recognises oils very quickly because it naturally produces oil itself, called sebum.’